Stacking arrangement for pie trays



Nov. 4, 1969 J, R, EDWARDS 3,476,262

STACKING ARRANGEMENT FOR PIE TRAYS Filed NOV. 15, 1967 /0 \7 V0 ATTORNEY United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 211-126 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure sets forth a metallic receptacle having particular applicability to stacking devices. In particular, the receptacle has been designed for handling baked pies in mass pie production, and serves as a stackable, opentype pallet or board that can be made for any size or combination of pie tins and stacked as high as desired.

The novel stacking arrangement, prevents movement of the pallet endwise or sidewise. The pallets can be stacked quickly, without close tting and tumbling, and yet they positively lock in place.

The center line formed stitfener which is part of the stacking feature also imparts bridge-girder strength to the pallet. Cross-wise of the stiiener there are two parallel spaced supporting members which not only serve to stiften the pallet but serve as spacing members for the stacked pallets or metallic receptacles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 'Ihe invention relates to a new concept for la metallic receptacle having stacking arrangements for handling baked pies in mass pie production. This handling of pies from oven to cooling stations, wrapping stations, or direct to shipping trucks, has, in the past, been a rather makeshift arrangement with the utilization of odds and ends of equipment. Since the metallic receptacle herein disclosed is made of strong aircraft aluminum, which gives a 30% reduction in weight over wood, heretofore employed, and cuts stainless lsteel weight in half. These metallic receptacles or pallets may also be made of aluminum, steel, plastic, or any suitable material having the approval of the United States Department of Agriculture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to metallic receptacles having stacking arrangements for handling baked pies in mass pie production. This is the principal use to which this metallic receptacle is put to but the same may be usef-ul, for example, in restaurants or cafeteras in carrying and serving foods; or in bakeries in transporting or temporarily Astoring baked products, as well as individual pans in actual baking.

The principal aim of the invention is to provide a tray suitable for any or all of the above purposes which is light in weight yet sturdy against deformation incident to rough handling; which can be fabricated in quantity at small cost; which lends itself to compact nesting and stacking with others like it; and which moreover is devoid of crevices or pockets so as to be easily cleaned and kept free of accumulations of dirt and bacteria.

How the foregoing and other objects and advantages are'realized in practice, will appear from the following detailed description of the attached drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of a tray conveniently embodying my invention;

FIGURE 2 represents a plan view thereof;

FIGURE 3 represents a vertical elevational view of the tray, taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 2, some portions being shown in cross-section and;

3,476,262 Patented Nov. 4, 1969 ice FIGURE 4 represents an end elevational view of FIG- URE 3.

Referring now to the drawings, each tray is the same as its nested counterparts so a description of one tray should suffice for all.

The tray, generally designated 1, is of rectangular configuration, approximately 50 inches in length and approximately 20 inches in width, such dimensions being by way of example only, and not limiting, and characterized by having, along the sides of its bottom 2, relatively narrow plain upstanding flanges 3, the upper edges of which terminate short of the tray corners, with consequent formation -at the latter, of open voids 4. The flanges 3 merge with the tray bottom 2 as at 5. Set into the tray bottom 2 somewhat inward of the voids are studs or supporting feet 6, such supporting feet being spaced from each other both longitudinally and transversely of the bottom 2 and on centers; in other words on lines spaced parallel to the longitudinal and transverse portions of the tray.

The tray 1 is provided with a gutter or stiffening means 7 which is formed by die-pressing the metal downwardly on the longitudinal center of the tray to a depth slightly less than the depth of the feet 6, as may be seen in FIG- URE 4. As will appear later, that this stiffening means not only gives bridge-girder strength to the tray but it constitutes an important feature in the stacking features, about to be described.

An important object of this invention is to provide reinforcement for the tray in both longitudinal and transverse dircetions and provide means whereby the loaded or unloaded trays may be stacked upon each other and secured against slipping in any direction during handling. The tray 1 is provided on its upper surface with two spaced, parallel ribs 10 extending transversely thereof and secured to the tray by riveting, spot welding or other medium. Such ribs 10` form supporting legs which support each tray of a plurality of trays, one above the other. The ribs 10` extend `almost to the upstanding flanges 3 and are identical as to dimensions. The ribs are notched or channeled at 11 to receive the bottoms of the gutters 7 of the stacked trays, thus preventing transverse movement thereof. Longitudinal movement of one tray with respect to another, when in stacked formation is prevented by the feet 6 which are placed on the bottom of each tray. The feet 6 effectively prevent longitudinal movement of the trays with respect to each other since they very nearly but not quite touch the converging sides 12 of the ribs 10.

The configuration of the ribs 10 may be noted. It will be seen that these ribs are formed with upwardly converging sides 12 and 13, the distance between which is sufficiently wide to form supports for the next-above tray, when the gutter 7 rests in the notches 11. The ribs 10 are of equal height, presenting a level area.

Each rib is provided with openings 20, 21 and 22 as shown to facilitate cleaning and ventilation of the tray contents. The hole 22 is centered over the gutter 7 and the holes 20 and 21 are equally spaced with reference to the hole 22.

For the sake of lightness and resistivity to corrosion, the tray is fashioned by die-stamping, from hard sheet aluminum which will not dent or become easily deformed incident to rough handling of the tray. When restricted to certain uses, the tray may be molded or pressed from suitable plastic material.

By virtue of the described construction, it will be seen that tray 1 will nest, when stacked with others like it as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. It will be noted further that tray 1 will be spaced from the subjacent tray in the stack by the gutter 7 which rests in the notches 11.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new and wish to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. As a new article of manufacture a rectangular tray integrally fashioned from sheet metal or the like having a substantially at bottom with plain straight edged flanges at its four sides, said anges being merged with the tray bottom and separated by open voids at the tray comers; the tray being further provided with downwardly disposed feet spaced from each other both longitudinally and transversely of said bottom and on centers, said tray having spaced, parallel, transversely-extending ribs thereon terminating short of the longitudinal edge flanges, said ribs having upwardly converging sides enabling nesting thereon of a similar tray, said ribs being provided with means on a common longitudinal center line for engaging a downwardly protruding gutter formed in each tray, whereby, when the tray is nested with similar trays, it is spaced from the tray beneath it by engagement of the protruding gutter with said means and said spaced feet on any one tray in cooperation with the ribs of the tray beneath it serve to prevent longitudinal movement of said nested trays.

2. The tray defined in claim 1 wherein said means for engaging a downwardly protruding gutter consists of a pair of notches, one on each rib on the edge portion Aformed by the juncture of said converging rib sides, said notches also being on the same longitudinal center line of said downwardly protruding gutter.

3. The tray dened in claim 1 wherein said downwardly protruding gutter is formed lby die-pressing the metal of said tray downwardly and along the longitudinal center line of said tray to a depth slightly less than the height of said feet whereby said gutter constitutes a strengthening mem-ber for said tray and assists in holding a stack of trays together. Y

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 19,813 1/1936- Steudel 10S-91 1,678,443 `7/l928 Proctor 21l--126 2,456,481 12/ 1948 Ballantyne 211-126 2,684,766 7/1954 Blom 211-126 X 2,704,974 3/ 1955 Setman 211-126 X 2,782,936 2/ 1957 Lockwood 211-126 NILE C. BYERS, IR., Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

